The Suicide follows an unemployed and dejected Semyon, living off his wife's meager income, without penny or purpose to his name. After Semyon fails at his final hope of restoring meaning to his life (learning to play the tuba), Semyon believes himself better off dead. When his neighbour leaks news of his impending suicide to various societal factions, a myriad of strange visitors bombard Semyon's apartment, demanding that he take his life for their cause. Thus ensues a sublimely ridiculous last supper and a funeral that illuminates the individual's dogged desire to live even as society usurps the human spirit.

Originally written in 1928 for the Meyerhold Theatre in Moscow, Soviet authorities banned the play before it opened and banished Erdman to Siberia. Join paper chairs as we revamp this rare classic that employs absolute absurdity to earnestly consider what gives us the gumption to go on living.

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday: May 15th - May 31st at The Off Center, 2211 Hidalgo Street. All shows start at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30pm.The production runs approximately 2 hours & 15 minutes. There will be a 15 minute intermission.

General Admission Tickets are priced on a sliding scale from $15-25."Semyon Special" - $30 for premium seating and special treats during the show!For tickets and more info, please visit paper chairs' event page or call (512) 686-6621.$10 tickets are available on Thursdays with the discount code "Tuba."

Additionally, our friends at Breaking String Theater are opening "Dulcey and Roxy at City Hall" on Friday May 2 and running for 3 weekends. As Austin comrades with Russian plays, BOTH of our companies are offering a promotion - bring your program from "Dulcey and Roxy at City Hall" to "The Suicide" (or vice versa) and receive 2-for-1 tickets! Call ahead to the box office to reserve your seats or walk-ups only! (This offer is not available online.)